Chicago hosted the U.S. Travel Association's IPW conference (formerly known as the International Pow Wow) from April 5 to 9 for the first time in 16 years. The event drew some 6,000 guests from 70 countries and was considered a great boon for Chicago tourism. According to The Chicago Tribune, the event could lead to more than one million new international visitors and $1.6 billion in tourism spending in the next three years.
Hoping to showcase the city in the best possible light—and with plenty of pizazz—tourism development agency Choose Chicago hosted splashy opening- and closing-night parties for the international visitors. Here's a look inside the two grandiose affairs. The opening-night bash took place at Cinespace, drew 5,500 guests, and was produced by Event Creative; the closing-night event brought 3,500 guests to the Museum of Science and Industry and was produced by Sodexo.
Some 20 Event Creative staffers worked to together to create a custom "El" train that circulated one room on a set of handcrafted tracks. Video mapping projected images local Chicago attractions onto two 20-foot-long railcars.
The opening-night party took place at the 90,000-square-foot Cinespace film studio on Chicago's West Side. When guests entered, they were greeted with giant blue-and-red letters that spelled out: "How Do You Chicago?"
Hanging letters and signs served to divide the space and add a sense of intimacy throughout. Event Creative also used different hues of light to warm up the sprawling space.
Event Creative staged four lounge areas that had custom furniture, bars, decor, and floral arrangements. One area, topped with leafy chandeliers and decked with hurricane candles, had the outdoor look of the Lincoln Park Zoo.
Large screens showcased video-mapped footage of the Chicago lakefront. Beneath the screens, an elevated area with its own bar was known as the "Lakefront Lounge."
A custom-built bar anchored a room at the back of the space. The room also had farm tables for guests to sit at and stations offering snacks from 30 local restaurants.
Blue Plate Catering provided snacks—including chicken and waffles—for the 5,500 guests. Fun fact: One staffer for the company wore a pedometer, which indicated that she logged 9.5 miles working that evening.
The closing-night party took place at the Museum of Science and Industry and had a "Pure Energy Chicago" theme. In the rotunda, an area known as "Southside Soul" offered snacks such as mac-and-greens croquettes, pulled chicken sliders, and braised short ribs. Clean white shelves displayed the snacks.
In the area inspired by Chicago's arty neighborhood Pilsen, Sodexo's salmon ceviche was served in clear paint cans. To invoke the area's strong Mexican influence, there were also empanadas, warm churros, and pineapple margaritas. Salsa dancers and a mariachi band performed.
In the Pilsen area, Kehoe Designs set up a glowing bar backed with colorful lights.
Kehoe used Indian-theme decor in a section inspired by Chicago's Devon Avenue. Food in the area included chicken-tandoori lollipops, rosewater macarons, and curried-pea-and-potato samosas. Entertainment included henna hand painting and Bollywood-style dancers performing to Indian pop music.
Chicago native Jennifer Hudson sang on a central stage. Her set included a performance of the Dreamgirls song that won her an Oscar, "And I am Telling You I'm Not Going." Before Hudson came out, local band Lynne Jordan and the Shivers entertained the crowd.
